Growing Rooted: The Psychological Impact of Creating Attachment to Place

Abstract

This thesis explores the topic of home, belonging, place attachment, and the natural world. The research question asks: What are the psychological outcomes when a person does not develop a secure attachment to place, and what is necessary to support the development of that secure attachment? Many have written about the profound and complex theme of home; drawn upon heavily throughout this thesis are the voices of ecopsychologists Craig Chalquist, Chellis Glendinning, and Andy Fisher; professional counselor Kelly McDaniel; Jungian analyst John Hill; and psychiatrist John Bowlby. Using a hermeneutic and heuristic research methodology, my lived experience of feeling a lack of belonging to place and the journey to understand why is woven together. Also investigated are ways the field of psychotherapy can more holistically incorporate the conversation of home and belonging into clinical practice.